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Adam Foote: 'It Would Be Robbery' If Jared Bednar Isn't Chosen As Coach Of The Year

Former Avs defenseman Adam Foote joined CBS4 sports anchor Michael Spencer for Xfinity Monday Live this week.

DENVER (CBS4) - Adam Foote has a lot of optimism about the Colorado Avalanche and their playoff series against the Blues, in which the Avs took a 1-0 lead thanks to a 4-1 win on Monday night.

NHL: MAY 17 Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round - Blues at Avalanche
A general view of Ball Arena with approximately 7,750 fans in attendance due to COVID-19-related restrictions during a Stanley Cup Playoffs first round game between the St. Louis Blues and the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on May 17, 2021. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

"I think if they can stay healthy (they can win the Stanley Cup)," Foote said of the current Avs team. "If the defenseman stay healthy they're good enough to get it done for sure."

RELATED: Gabriel Landeskog Records A 'Gordie Howe Hat Trick' As Colorado Avalanche Win Game 1 vs. Blues

"Teams are going to try to play them down low, dots to boards, grind them out, but I think if the Avs just focus on their game they have as good a chance as anyone to win this thing."

Foote, who won two Stanley Cups with the Avs, likes what he sees out of the current group. "I think they're very hungry. I think they know they're close, so it would be nice to see them get one under their belt."

Jared Bednar
Head coach Jared Bednar of the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena on May 17, 2021. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Foote is also a big fan of what Jared Bednar has done with the Avs and the way he has coached the team.

San Jose Sharks v Colorado Avalanche
Jared Bednar head coach of the Colorado Avalanche directs his team against the San Jose Sharks at Ball Arena on Jan. 28, 2021. (credit: Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)

"What I've been watching and seeing, especially with a young powerhouse group, I think Bednar has handled himself very well. He's known when to squeeze them a bit and hold them accountable, and he's also known when to play the young guys and let them go and build confidence. It's been a nice balance. I think he's done a good job. I can't see how he doesn't get coach of the year, I think that would be robbery if he didn't."

The Avs and Blues will play game two of their seven game series on Wednesday night.

RELATED: Avalanche Banners Hang On Larimer Square Ahead Of NHL Playoffs

The rest of the Avalanche's first round series continues as follows:

No. 1 Colorado Avalanche vs. No. 4 St. Louis Blues

Game 2: Wednesday, May 19, 10:30 p.m. | at COL | TV: CNBC
Game 3: Friday, May 21, 9:30 p.m. | at STL | TV: USA
Game 4: Sunday, May 23 | at STL | TBD
Game 5*: Tuesday, May 25 | at COL | TBD
Game 6*: Thursday, May 27 | at STL | TBD
Game 7*: Saturday, May 29 | at COL | TBD

And here's a look at the complete playoff breakdown, courtesy of CBS Sports:

nhlbracket-2021
(credit: CBS)
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